Original video located here. Accessed 29th April 2016
Song title: Sonnet 73
Artist: Paul Kelly
Year: 2016
Why I like this song:
Given Paul Kelly's sizable body of work, that he releases an album of music set to Shakespeare's sonnets is certainly a surprise. Still, the theatre nerd in me was delighted.
And what do you know, he does a superb job with this. He clearly understands the source material and I love the guitar tone that sounds like a church organ.
Original video located here. Accessed 28th April 2016
Song title: Punch in the Face
Artist: Frenzal Rhomb
Year: 1996
Why I like this song:
My introduction to Frenzal Rhomb - and no doubt the same for a lot of other people.
Although when I first heard the band name, I mistook as 'Friends of Rom'....
Original video located here. Accessed 22nd April 2016
Song title: Dogs Are the Best People
Artist: The Fauves
Year: 1996
Why I like this song:
The anthem for dog lovers everywhere.
Original video located here. Accessed 26th August 2016
Song title: Suffragette City
Artist: David Bowie
Year: 1972
Why I like this song:
More explorations with David Bowie.
So Ziggy Stardust: The album that made him a superstar. That may be Bowie's defining moment - depending on who you ask - but I did find this song the pick of the bunch. Nutty lyrics and some superb instrumental parts make this the Starman at the top of his game. But, as it would become clear, it wasn't a place to stay....
Original video located here. Accessed 18th August 2021
Song title: It's Too Slow
Artist: Hoodoo Gurus
Year: 1996
Why I like this song:
Say what you want about the eighties: for me, it will forever be a golden age for Australian music. And my favorite of this era were these guys. So you can imagine my surprise and delight to find that they were still going in 1996 (proving that this revelatory year had plenty of surprises).
Whilst In Blue Cave has some decent songs, I however opted for this as being the best of this period: A song that was relegated to B-side status. Which is a baffling decision to me. Why was this gem shunted into some corner where it was unable to reach a wider audience? It certainly leaves some of the songs that did make it to In Blue Cave for dead and shows that for a veteran band, there was still some gas in the tank.
Still, I have previously mentioned that i am sucker for a motivational anthem and this is indeed the case here. It has been helpful to have around in moments of self doubt, informing me that, in some cases, if things aren't working out then jt's best to get out of it and to hell with the repercussions.
Song title: Purple Rain
Artist: Prince
Year: 1984
Why I like this song:
R.I.P. Prince
Certainly it took me a while to come around to him but I'm glad I did. And honestly, I can't think of a greater epitaph. So here's to you Purple One.
Original video located here. Accessed 15th April 2016
Song title: Novocaine for the Soul
Artist: Eels
Year: 1996
Why I like this song:
I was a weird kid in high school. So Naturally, I would gravitate towards this band.
For me, Eels were, and still are, the ultimate outsider band: Their music gave the impression of being abrasive, cute and demented - often at the same time. And this song truly was a statement of intent.
Indeed, this is one band where one has to be an unhappy teenager to really latch onto.
Original video located here. Accessed 8th April 2016
Song title: Heartspark Dollarsign
Artist: Everclear
Year: 1996
Why I like this song:
Being a teen in the mid-nineties, Everclear seemed like the biggest act around: They had some spectacular songs and could draw in big crowds. So they made an impression on my teenaged mind - not bad for bad fronted by a guy in his early thirties...
Still credit to Art: he had the experience of a life lived and it came through in his songwriting. And props to him for tackling a lesser-traversed subject as interracial romance. And standing defiant against the forces that would dare split that romance apart.
Original video located here. Accessed 4th February 2018
Song title: Soramami Cake
Artist: Oranges and Lemons
Year: 2002
Why I like this song:
As is often the case, this is a fun opening to an equally fun series, Azumanga Daioh.
And hey, when your opening theme has the line 'Goodbye Sadness' that is pretty much a mission statement.